The 19th edition of
Milan-San Remo was held on Sunday 21 March 1926. It was won by the
first Italian 'Campionissimo' Costante Girardengo.

Costante Girardengo was born in Novi Ligure,
Alexandria, Italy on 18 March 1893 and won the Milan-San Remo six times
(1918,21,23,25,26,and 28). He had also finished 1st in 1915 but was
disqualified for going off course. Girardengo finished in the the first
three every year from 1917 to 1926! Only Eddy Merckx, with seven
victories, has more. Girardengo holds the record for most wins in the
Milan-Turin with five victories and was Italian professional champion
for seven years running between 1919 and 1925. He was ranked number one
in the world in 1919, 22-23, 25-26.

Eighty nine riders left Milan with
286.5km ahead of them. Giradengo, wearing the Italian champions jersey,
went over the Turchino Pass in first place. It was the fifth time he
had taken the Turchino prime. It was also to be his last. Giradengo
would leave his breakaway companions at Loano and ride the final 62km
to the finish alone.